Can Ice Tea Cause Gout?
Though many factors affect the onset of gout, a change in diet can keep the attacks away. Because beverages such as beer, wine and sodas with high fructose corn syrup can trigger gout attacks, one might suspect that artificially sweetened ice tea triggers gout too.
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Definition
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Gout is an arthritis-like condition that occurs when there is too much uric acid present in the bloodstream. When this happens, joint inflammation occurs, followed by intense joint pain.
Causes/Factors
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Gout is mostly found in overweight men over the age of 35. Other contributing factors include heredity, consumption of alcoholic or soft drink beverages on a daily basis, smoking, regular use of medications such as aspirin, and a poor diet.
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Bad Foods/Drinks
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Foods most likely to cause gout include red meats, seafood and poultry. Drinks most likely to cause gout include alcoholic beverages, especially beer, wine and soda. High-protein diets, such as the Atkins diet, also tend to be associated with gout.
Good Food/Drinks
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Drinking the daily recommended dose of water is the best prevention of gout. Foods that help prevent gout include dairy and vegetables.
Theories/Speculation
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A study done by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, found that both coffee and decaffeinated coffee decreased the risk of gout, whereas tea had no effect whatsoever.
Prevention/Solution
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According to Family Medicine News, ice tea has no effect on gout as long as it isn't saturated with extra sugar. Only add what will dissolve, which is no more than two teaspoons.
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